Pioneer DVR-RT7H 3-in-1 recorder
As some consumers are debating on whether to pop another set top box under the TV, such as in addition to their VCR and cable / satellite receiver as well as decide on whether to go for a DVD + HDD model, Pioneer has introduced their first VHS / DVD / HDD all-in-one recorder – the DVR-RT7H. This recorder is aimed at the Japanese market, in which around 40% of the market has DVD recorders. If features a fast DVD-R/RW recorder which can record on DVD-R at 12x and DVD-RW at 6x and boasts up a 100x HDD to DVD transfer rate, thus allowing an hour's recording to be transferred to DVD-R in about 40 seconds.
This recorder is aimed for those who currently use VHS, but which to transfer their collection to DVD. It features a One-button auto dubbing feature, which when pressed gets the recorder to pre-scan the VHS tape to select the optimum DVD recording mode, transfer the content and finally finalise the disc. The recorder features a recording capacity of 24 hours on a DVD-R Double Layer disc and up to 569 hours on its internal 200GB hard drive. For the picture quality purists, it supports a 'Super High Quality' recording mode of 15Mbps when recording to HDD...
For playback, it features quick and simple navigation, including the option to sort by recording date or by title. For those who are unfamiliar with the device and haven't read the manual, the player features on-screen help and tips. The recorder can playback CDs, DVD-RAM, DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW discs. Finally, audio CDs can be transferred to its HDD with its one-touch Jukebox function. This recorder is expected to hit the Japanese market late June, however no pricing information is available at this time.
Pioneer Corporation announced today the introduction in Japan of the DVR-RT7H, the company's first combination VHS/ DVD recorder with built-in HDD offering a variety of easy dubbing features among VHS, DVD and HDD.
The Japanese market for DVD recorders has been enjoying rapid growth, and the DVD recorder has become the standard video recording device for the home. Especially, a combination VCR with DVD recorder (including models with a built-in HDD) has captured as much as 40% of the market.
Pioneer's first 3-in-1 combination recorder is equipped with One-button Auto Dubbing feature, which allows easily converting video archives of VHS to DVD . The DVR-RT7H also contains a wealth of other DVD recording features, such as up to 24 hours of continuous recording onto a single-sided Dual Layer DVD -R ( DVD -R DL) disc(1) and a maximum of 100x dubbing (HDD to DVD -R), the fastest in the industry(2). Thus, this combination VHS/ DVD recorder can fully meet a wide range of customer needs.
The DVR-RT7H will be available in the Japanese market in late June with no retail price suggested.
While Pioneer has been offering DVD±RW recorders for PCs for quite a while now, it looks like they still prefer to stick to the minus side when it comes to set top boxes. Unlike most current standalone DVD recorders, this recorder can supports double layer recording, which would be handy for those looking to double their DVD recording capacity without sacrificing on quality and don’t mind forking out for DVD-R DL media.